Genoa Travel Poster: Genua by Aurelio Craffonara, 1931

Genua (1931) by Aurelio Craffonara is a luminous Art Deco travel poster that invites you to the Ligurian coast at the height of interwar glamour. The title uses the German exonym for Genoa, a cosmopolitan nod to the era’s pan‑European tourism, while Craffonara’s elegant geometry and sun‑washed palette conjure the modernity, leisure, and promise of Mediterranean travel. Curved garden paths and foliage sweep toward a bustling harbor and hillside cityscape, balancing nature with urban vitality—an idealized portrait of Genoa as gateway to the Italian Riviera.

This fine art print is produced by The Unique Maps Co. on museum‑quality, acid‑free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas for exceptional color fidelity and longevity. Choose from a range of sizes, with optional framing in curated finishes, and add personal touches—custom titles, dedication lines, and gift messages—so your piece arrives ready to hang or to give.

Aurelio Craffonara was an Italian painter and illustrator who moved to Genoa as a child and trained at the Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti under Tammar Luxoro. Known for his watercolors and refined sense of line, he illustrated posters and periodicals—sometimes under the playful pseudonym “Lelo”—and collaborated with leading Ligurian artists on decorative commissions. His fluency across fine and applied arts made him a natural voice of the region’s early 20th‑century visual culture.

This poster captures a pivotal moment when railways and ocean liners opened the Riviera to a broader public. Genua celebrates Genoa’s unique character: terraced hillsides tumbling toward a deep natural harbor; promenades fringed with lush greenery; and an urbane seaside lifestyle that promised sunshine, elegance, and effortless mobility. Issued during the optimistic 1920s–30s travel boom, it embodies the spirited marketing that helped define Mediterranean tourism for generations.

Color and design are the heart of its appeal. Craffonara sets vivid greens against crystalline blues and warm strokes of yellow to evoke sea, gardens, and sun—an instantly recognizable Mediterranean triad. Smooth, flowing contours in paths and foliage play against the crisp verticals of buildings and ships, a classic Art Deco dialogue between organic and engineered forms. Decorative floral motifs and geometric accents supply texture without crowding the scene, while the strong, concise title anchors the composition. As wall art, it brings fresh color, architectural rhythm, and a romantic sense of escape to any interior—perfect for coastal, mid‑century, or modern spaces.

A thoughtful gift for travelers, Italophiles, and design lovers, this print is ideal for commemorating a trip to Genoa or the Italian Riviera. It makes a distinctive present for birthdays, housewarmings, Mother’s or Father’s Day, Christmas, or to celebrate someone who has recently explored the Ligurian coast.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.